Mangia: Germany good preparation for Italy U21

Italy Under-21 coach Devis Mangia looked forward to Wednesday’s friendly with Germany citing it as a good test ahead of the European Championships this summer.

The Azzurrini play their first match of 2013 against the Germans in Andria’s Stadio degli Ulivi, an outing the 38-year-old tactician believes will provide a good indication of the progress made by his young charges.

“We will continue the work that we began two years ago,” he told the official press conference. “I’ve given my boys a clear idea of how to play.

“We haven’t had a lot of time to prepare, but what time we do have we can’t waste.

“Our goal remains the European Championships but the friendly against Germany will show us where we are in terms of that objective.”

The Azzurini qualified for the summer finals in Israel with victory over Sweden in a two-legged play-off last October and will match up against the host nation, England and Norway in Group A. The young Germans also qualified and will contest the other group alongside the Netherlands, Russia and defending champions Spain.